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Ratzinger Report: An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
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July 19, 2024
RATZINGER'S WIDE-RANGING COMMENTARY ON THE STATE OF THE CATHOLIC WORLD
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (born 1927) is of course now Pope Benedict XVI; however, at the time this 1985 book was published, he was the 58-year old Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This book contains the account of his detailed discussions with a journalist, on a wide variety of issues.
The journalist noted, "Although critical of the 'left,' Ratzinger also exhibits an unmistakable severity toward the 'right,' toward that integralist traditionalism quintessentially symbolized by the old Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre." But he adds that Rome has not yet "intervened with respect to the 'right' with the same vigor" (but note that Lefebvre was excommunicated in 1988 for consecrating four bishops).
Ratzinger notes that "Christianity is not 'our' work; it is a Revelation... we are not authorized to change the Our Father into an Our Mother; the symbolism employed by Jesus is irreversible..." (Pg. 97) He notes with disapproval that "A feminist mentality... has also entered into women's religious orders." (Pg. 99)
Rejecting Protestant "biblicism," he asserts that "if Purgatory did not exist, we should have to invent it." (Pg. 146) Significantly, however, he states that "speaking more as a theologian and not as Prefect of the Congregation---I would abandon (Limbo) since it was only a theological hypothesis." (Pg. 147)
These comments may be welcomed by readers, or be infuriating to others, but they are a very important statement for contemporary Catholic doctrine and "politics."
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (born 1927) is of course now Pope Benedict XVI; however, at the time this 1985 book was published, he was the 58-year old Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This book contains the account of his detailed discussions with a journalist, on a wide variety of issues.
The journalist noted, "Although critical of the 'left,' Ratzinger also exhibits an unmistakable severity toward the 'right,' toward that integralist traditionalism quintessentially symbolized by the old Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre." But he adds that Rome has not yet "intervened with respect to the 'right' with the same vigor" (but note that Lefebvre was excommunicated in 1988 for consecrating four bishops).
Ratzinger notes that "Christianity is not 'our' work; it is a Revelation... we are not authorized to change the Our Father into an Our Mother; the symbolism employed by Jesus is irreversible..." (Pg. 97) He notes with disapproval that "A feminist mentality... has also entered into women's religious orders." (Pg. 99)
Rejecting Protestant "biblicism," he asserts that "if Purgatory did not exist, we should have to invent it." (Pg. 146) Significantly, however, he states that "speaking more as a theologian and not as Prefect of the Congregation---I would abandon (Limbo) since it was only a theological hypothesis." (Pg. 147)
These comments may be welcomed by readers, or be infuriating to others, but they are a very important statement for contemporary Catholic doctrine and "politics."
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review